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4 Nov 2012

22 killed in rain-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad:(Page3 News Network/Newsonair)-In Andhra Pradesh atleast 22 people have been killed in rain-related incidents as heavy downpour continued to batter several regions even after the Cyclonic storm Nilam diluted into Low Pressure.Coastal part of the state continued to bear the brunt of nature's fury as villages and towns were inundated by swollen rivulets.Normal life has been badly hit in Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Khamma districts.Met officials said heavy to very heavy rain likely at several places in the state for next 48 hours.Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy directed chief secretary to put all concerned departments on high alert and closely monitor the flood and heavy rain situation.Disaster Management Commissioner T Radha told reporters in Hyderabad on Sunday; 86 relief camps have been opened in the worst hit districts.AIR Hyderabad correspondent reports that Mass evacuation from low laying areas in rain hit districts is underway.District administration in rain hit areas has taken up relief works in a large scale while heavy rains are lashing several parts of Andhra Pradesh.Death toll rose to 22 in rain related incidents and over 1500 houses were damaged.About 50 tanks were breached. Thousands of people from low laying areas in the effected districts are being shifted to relief camps set up at 86 places.Rivers and rivulets have been swollen due to heavy rains upstream. Several streams are overflowing causing inundation of nearby colonies in towns and cities especially in Visakhapatnam , East and West Godavari and Krishna districts.Rail and road traffic has been the worst hit following flood water flowing over tracks and highways.Passengers of long distance trains are facing severe inconvenience as several trains have been halted at different places following damage to tracks.Standing crops have been damaged in over 3 lakh hectares while 2 lakh hectares are under water.